ENCHANTED

CHAPTER 4 : EXHAUSTED

"Be gentle with yourself, you're doing the best you can."

R I D D H I M A 

The next morning, I woke up feeling drained and confused. I decided to take a shower and pack my bags before leaving for New York. As I was getting ready, my phone rang. It was Vansh.

"Hey, Riddhima. I heard about your meeting yesterday. How did it go?" he asked, his voice sounding casual. Listening to his voice, shook me to the core. "Vansh.." my voice slowly trembled, i had questions to ask him, but the moment i heard his voice, it was over, all the questions which needed answers didn't need the answers. "Sweetheart are you alright??" he asked casually, which did kind of irritate me, because he was dead and he definitely didn't have the right to be so casual about this. 

"You are alive??" my voice was still trembling

Vansh's response was immediate, "What do you mean, Riddhima? Of course, I'm alive. Is everything okay?"

I was confused and overwhelmed, "I... I thought you were dead. I heard you get into a accident and get shot!"

There was a long pause on the other end of the line. "I don't know what to say, Riddhima. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I'm here and I'm alive, that's all that matters."

I didn't know what to think or feel. The relief of knowing Vansh was alive was mixed with confusion, i didn't wanted to believe even for a second that this was a prank or a lie "I don't care, just tell me where are you, i will come to you, I need to see you hug you!"

"I don't know, Riddhima."

Vansh's voice trailed off, and there was a long silence. "What do you mean you don't know?" I asked, my heart sinking.

"It's complicated," Vansh said finally. "I can't just meet you right now. But we can talk, and I can explain everything."

I felt a sense of frustration rising within me. "Explain what? What is going on, Vansh? I need to know."

"I know you love me sweetheart, and as long as i would like to keep talking to you, this is not me, this is not the real me" vansh screamed over the phone, when i suddenly turned around i could see vansh, he hurried towards me, "You need to snap out of it!! THIS IS NOT ME! VANSH IS DEAD!!! SNAP OUT OF IT RIDDHIMA!!" he screamed and i woke up with a jerk only to realize what all just happened was a dream.

I gasped for breath as much as possible. New York was supposed to be therapy, it's just turning out to be a nightmare, a really bad one at that. 

I went back to the hotel , for the results for yesterday's meeting, to be honest i pretty much lost hope at this point.

"Hello sweetheart!" someone greeted me, i immediately turned around in hopes of seeing vansh, but saddened when i saw Arjun.

"Do not call me that" i said rolling my eyes. "You sure you want to maintain that attitude, because i am going to be announcing results soon" he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, sure, i think i already know the results of this" i said taking my designated place while he climbed up onto the dais. "Hello everyone, i will keep this short and sweet, thanks for all the companies who reached to grab this opportunity, someone said that they might know the results of this before i got onto the stage, i would like to prove them wrong and even surprise them, the company that PHOENIX INDUSTRIES will be collaborating with on this project is RAISINGHANIA INDUSTRIES!" he announced, definitely proving me wrong and surprising me, people around me were not happy with this decision.

"Now would be an amazing time to walk out of here" Arjun whispered from behind. "Well not alone, of course with your partner" he continued and extended his hand towards me, i placed my hands in his gently and slowly walked out of there. 

"Why?" that was the only thing that left my mouth after what happened in the conference room. "Vansh" he replied, "You hated him" i continued as we walked into a private room. "I won't deny that, but his brand name, is more valuable than you would think riddhima, that man inspired me and i have only one condition" he said while taking a sip of his drink. 

"Of course, its Arjun, he always has conditions" i said taking a seat.

"Trust me this is for your betterment, my condition is for you to operate from NYC, you will shift your base or establish your base here, is entirely upto you, i have a really good reason for that also, since the major work will be here and you can't shuffle between flights, i am making your work easier, it's about time you took care of your international market" he advised, which to be honest wasn't that bad opposed to his other advices.

I listened to Arjun's proposal and thought it over carefully. Moving to New York would be a big change, but it could also be a good opportunity for me to expand my business and explore new markets.

"Okay, I'll consider it," I said finally. "But I need some time to think about it and weigh my options."

"Sure thing, take your time," Arjun said with a nod. "Just remember, this could be a game-changer for your company."

AFTER 3 MONTHS 

A R J U N 

Riddhima soon moved to NYC after my advice, her company was getting back together, with our project ongoing her company was getting more offers also, she also trashed the rumors and the company looks better than ever, more few months and i believe she will take it to another level, probably more higher than Vansh did. I missed Vansh, he was my friend, riddhima didn't know this but i knew him, we grew up together, we were best friends.

It all went to shit, when my father instigated me against him, i was young and couldn't understand that my father was manipulating me, if i could go back i would do everything to be friends with him again. 

These 3 months alot happened, riddhima has become a good friend of mine, more than a good friend to be honest, a strong pillar when my mom died, she has become family.

"Arjun, it's decided you are coming to dinner at my house tomorrow night, it's your birthday! And i will celebrate it, even if its just dinner, i will!" riddhima yelled as soon as she opened the door, probably the whole office heard her. 

"Calm down Sunshine! Who all decided this? I definitely wasn't in on this decision." i said getting up from my chair.

"I decided for the both of us" she said gulping down  the water on table.

"Sure i will join you, sad that it will only the two of us" i said.

CONTINUE READING!!